driving from north Baltimore

[lisareneeo]

I am driving from about a 1/2 hour north of Baltimore leaving on Tues. at about 2PM. Will I beat the D.C. rush hour? Any good shortcuts off I-95? I am going to try to drive straight through Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[zurgswife]

we drove in Oct and hit rush hour at 330pm on a friday afternoon....It took for ever....I grew up in the area and couldn't believe the level of congestion going south...It took us almost 1.5 to get to Lorton, VA where the congestion let up...

 

[Kimickey]

Since you are driving from North of Baltimore I would suggest you getting a map and see where you can pick up Rt 301. 301 cuts out the congestion of I-95. It may add an hour or so to your trip but it's an hour that you are driving and not sitting in three hours of traffic. I live in Maryland right off of I-95 and freaking hate it at times.

 

[Taylor -- MD]

You are correct, Kimickey. 301 is a good alternative to I-95 around DC.

lisareneeo -- Coming from North of Baltimore, take the beltway to I-97 south to Rt 50/301. If you're familiar with Rt 50, 301 merges with 50 on the Eastern Shore just east of the Bay Bridge.

-- Follow 50/301 west until 301 splits from 50 (before you reach the Washington beltway).

-- Rt 301 will take you through Southern MD (a very pretty drive, if I recall correctly) and all the way to Richmond. Hop onto I-295 South or East around Richmond and then onto I-95 from there.

Confused??? Don't be. Like the others stated above, it sure beats sitting on I-95 for what seems like an eternity.

 

[markey]

ok, now I am panicking. We are leaving 5/2 Friday, from Ft. George Meade, about 30 miles north of Washington. Planned to leave at 1, will we miss the traffic or should I be checking out alternative routes?

 

[Kimickey]

Markey,
personally leaving the metropolitan area on a Friday around 1pm can still be a headache. IMO I would try and find an alternate route at least until you get out of our congested area. I've been stuck on I-95/495 South toward the Wilson Bridge which connects MD to VA on a Friday around 1pm. Taking 50 to 301 is your best bet to save you the troubles.

 

[lisareneeo]

Do you think there is any difference on what day of the week you leave for trave? We are leaving on a Tuesday around 1:00 pm (just north of Baltimore) and hope to miss DC rush hour. We will probably check out the 301 route that has been suggested (I have to give this info to my husband ) Thanks again for your help.

 

[JudithM]

If you take I-97 south, you can pick up Route 3 south of the Millersville/Severna Park area. Route 3 heads south towards Crofton. When you cross Route 50, the road becomes Route 301 south. You cannot go 60-70 mph & there are a few traffic lights, but it sure beats the Washington International Speedway - oops I mean the Washington Beltway ! There is a toll to leave Maryland on Route 301. If you go this way, gas is less expensive right over the bridge in Dahlgren, VA or even further south just before you get on I-95 (301 to 207). Travel safely!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Lisa:
Leaving at 1:00 from Belair would probably land you in DC at the beginning of rush hour. Tuesday might be a little better than Friday, but not much. So I'd take the advice and go 301--at least you'll be moving.
I know you probably can't change your leave time, but we live just off I-83, about 10 miles into Pa. We leave at 4:00AM and are just around DC by 6:00 AM--and that's cutting it close. Even at 6:00 the traffic is horrible--but at least most of those folks are going to school, work. In the afternoon it's worse, because you can add to the traffic mix the shoppers, sight-see'ers etc.

 

[NALA 24]

We are planning on leaving NE PA on a Friday in June at 4 am.
AAA has routed us on 81S to 66W to 17S to 95S at Fredricksburg,VA. Will this help us to avoid the DC rush hour? We have never driven to WDW, but have used this route to get to South Carolina.

 

[Tina]

Yes, you will absolutely miss the DC area traffic. The stretch of 66 that you will be traveling will not be congested at all. The congested area of 66 is east of Route 29 in Gainesville, VA.

 

[NALA 24]

Thanks Tina.